Closing Date to Apply: Open Until Filled
Number of Positions: 1
Salary: $105,414.40 to $184,454.40
Typically, selected candidates are hired at a salary rate between the minimum and midpoint of the range.
Benefits: This link below will provide you with Grant PUD’s benefit that may be available if hired, different employee types are eligible for different benefits.
Grant PUD – Unified Insurance Program (uip-wa.org)
This position is eligible for hybrid work with the understanding that per Grant County PUD policy all employees are required to work at their designated headquarters at least two days per week.
Grant County PUD is a drug free workplace. A pre-employment drug screen and background check will be administered as part of the hiring process.
Join Our Team as a Labor Relations Manager!
Are you a skilled negotiator with a passion for fostering positive employee relations? Do you thrive in dynamic environments where you can shape the labor landscape and drive impactful change? If so, we invite you to be a driving force in our organization as a Labor Relations Manager!
Why Choose Us:
Make an Impact: As our Labor Relations Manager, you’ll be at the forefront of shaping our labor relations strategies, enhancing employee engagement, and ensuring harmonious workplace environments.
🌈 Collaborative Culture: Join a team that values collaboration, creativity, and a commitment to excellence. Collaborate with cross-functional teams and executive leadership to influence organizational decisions.
Continuous Growth: We believe in investing in our team members’ growth. You’ll have access to ongoing training, development programs, and mentorship opportunities that support your career trajectory.
Innovative Environment: Embrace an organization that values innovation and encourages fresh ideas. Your expertise will be crucial in designing innovative labor relations solutions that drive positive outcomes.
Diverse Community: Join a diverse and inclusive workplace where your unique perspectives contribute to a rich tapestry of ideas and solutions.
What You’ll Do:
- Labor Strategy: Lead the development and execution of labor relations strategies that align with our organization’s objectives, promoting a productive and collaborative work environment.
- Negotiations: Drive successful negotiations with our union representatives, ensuring mutually beneficial agreements while upholding the interests of the organization.
- Compliance: Stay updated on labor laws and regulations, ensuring our practices remain compliant and minimizing potential risks.
- Conflict Resolution: Facilitate productive discussions between management and the union representatives, leveraging your strong communication and conflict resolution skills.
- Training and Education: Develop training programs and resources to educate employees and management on labor relations, fostering a culture of understanding and collaboration.
Position Summary
As a member of the Human Resource team, the Labor Relations Manager will play a key role at Grant PUD in managing and developing effective labor relations strategies, policies, and procedures. The individual will be responsible for creating and implementing a labor relations program which is focused on delivering high quality labor relations counsel. The individual will serve as the primary point of contact for the IBEW Local 77 union and will work collaboratively with members from the Executive team regarding actions, positions, and arguments of the Union. Will work collaboratively with management and union representatives to foster a productive and harmonious labor-management relationship. This position will involve overseeing and managing all facets of labor relations activities, including collective bargaining, grievance resolution, contract interpretation, hearings, joint labor/management committee meetings, mediations and arbitrations while being compliant with labor laws and regulations.
Essential Functions
Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Provide strategic and tactical direction to executives, management and HR staff on collective bargaining agreement negotiations, collective bargaining agreement administration, interpretation of WACs and RCWs, Grant PUD policies, collective bargaining agreement, federal and state employment, Grant PUD representation and communication.
- Serve as the primary Grant PUD contact for all communications with the IBEW local 77 business agent, including information requests, letters of understanding, request for labor/management meetings, unfair labor practice complaints, and other official organization-union correspondence.
- Manage, support, investigate and respond to employee complaints regarding allegations of unfair practices, including complaints filed with external agencies & employment litigation and claims, ensuring proactive and effective management of cases.
- Acts as Grant PUDs chief negotiator and designated management bargaining representative; also known as the Labor Relations Coordinator; researches and develops contract and costing proposals; identifies Grant PUD collective bargaining and bargaining unit issues and interests; develops strategy for labor contract negotiations; presents and advocates on behalf of the Grant PUD’s interest.
- Provide oversight, advice, guidance, direction and counsel to managers on labor relation issues and related laws including, but not limited to contract interpretation and grievances.
- Compile, prepare and analyze data for use in labor settings such as joint labor management committee meetings, contract administration, grievances, unfair labor practices, arbitrations, and resolution of confidential and sensitive human resource matters.
- Work in close consultation with the Managing Director of Human Resources and the General Manager regarding labor relations programming and strategies.
- Effectively plans and prepares for, anticipates, and responds to labor relations issues.
- Develops effective working relationships with legal counsel, union representatives, executive team, managers, supervisors and shop stewards.
- Train employees and management about labor relations policies, right, and responsibilities relations topics.
- Develop machine learning for use in predictive modeling using Python, R, or other similar programming languages.
- Monitor trends and changes in labor laws and regulations, ensuring compliance within the organization.
- Demonstrated commitment to Grant PUD’s mission, vision, values, strategic plan, and the Grant PUD / IBEW Local 77 Code of Excellence. The incumbent should be familiar with these organizational priorities and behave in a way that aligns with these expectations.
- Maintain accurate records related to labor relations activities such as grievances, negotiations, labor management meetings and other relevant data.
- Understand and adhere to compliance requirements for this position that may include laws, regulations, security guidelines, Grant PUD policies & procedures.
- Actively participate in all aspects of our safety program, including but not limited to:
- Following all safety policies and procedures.
- Alerting supervisors and coworkers to unsafe or hazardous working conditions.
- Reporting any safety incidents or close calls within 24 hours to your supervisor.
- Accepting feedback from supervisors and coworkers regarding your own safety performance.
Education and Experience
Required
- A bachelor’s degree in labor relations, law, public administration, human resources, or a closely related field is required.
- A minimum of five (5) years’ experience of progressive labor relations and increasingly responsible experience in advising managers, supervisors, and executive staff in labor relations, negotiations, and interpreting federal, state and local laws related to public employment and labor relations, with an emphasis on contract negotiations. OR; Equivalent combination of education, training, and experience in labor relations including contract negotiation may substitute for education.
- Demonstrated ability to formulate and articulate labor relations principles and negotiating strategies, including the
- Ability to communicate effectively with audiences that include but are not limited to management, coworkers, clients, vendors, contractors, and other stakeholders.
Preferred
- Advanced degrees in Labor Relations, Human Resources, JD or a similar field is preferred.
- 10 years’ experience of progressive labor relations and increasingly responsible experience in advising managers, supervisors, and executive staff in labor relations, negotiations, and interpreting federal, state and local laws related to public employment and labor relations, with an emphasis on contract negotiations preferred.
- Experience working in Public Sector preferred.
License and Certifications
Required
- A valid State driver’s license with no restrictions.
Preferred
- Professional Labor Relations or Human Resources certification.
- Training or certification in conflict resolution or mediation.
Other Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Comprehensive knowledge of labor laws and regulations, particularly those pertaining to public utility organizations.
- Demonstrated skills in negotiation and conflict resolution.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact at all levels of the organization.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess situations and make sound decisions.
- Skill in conducting research and identifying and analyzing trends, including root cause analysis as they relate to employee grievances.
- Effectively work with others to understand interests and actively strive to agreements or resolve differences in a timely manner.
- Employ expertise, credibility, and effective partnering to help clients identify, evaluate and resolve complex or sensitive issues, problems and service needs.
- Build constructive working relationships characterized by a high level of acceptance, cooperation and mutual respect.
- Ability to gather relevant data, analyze problems, evaluate alternatives, and make appropriate recommendations.
- Ability to work with diverse populations and to apply an equity framework to create inclusive & diverse workplaces.
- Ability to exercise independent judgment and initiative within established guidelines.
- Use strategic thinking to evaluate proposed actions and timelines against organizational mission and values. Make final decisions on acceptability, pertinence, and large-scale value of the plan.
- Convey clear, timely, written and verbal, persuasive messages that positively influence the thoughts and actions of others.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects, with attention to detail and adherence to deadlines.
- Proficient in using HRIS systems and Microsoft Offices Suite.
- Skill in leading organization-wide change initiatives.
Physical Requirements
- Position may be eligible for hybrid work arrangement: ☒Yes • No
- Per Grant County PUD policy all employees are required to work at their designated headquarters at least two days per week.
- Majority of work is performed in a standard office setting.
- Will require approximately 10% of the time in the field during data acquisition and investigations.
- Typical shift of employees in this position: ☒8 hours ☒9 hours ☒10 hours • 12 hours
*For a full list of requirements, the applicant/incumbent should refer to the Physical Capacity Evaluation (PCE).
The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions for this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas.